Newbie

January 25, 2004

Oh I'm sorry ... I guess I did miss it. Thank you - I've

enjoyed reading all the posts and am learning quite a bit just

reading about all the various experiences with this strange

condition we seem to share from one extent to another.

Have an enjoyable Sunday...

Love, Diane

> I guess you must have missed it Diane.

> A Warm Welcome to you and " All the newbies " in the group. I'm

sorry, I

> don't always get a chance to respond to everyone though.:-)

> Sandi in No CA

>

> Holt-

>

> Newbie

>

> Greetings ye with a high sphincter factor!

>

> Maybe this condition is NOT a laughing matter, but I've always

found

> it natural and beneficial to find at least a little humor in an

> otherwise sad and confusing situation. A little background on me

is

> that I'm a young 50, rather healthy Floridian and have experienced

> this annoying disorder for 7 years now. I have two observations

> that may help us all: First, for me it always happens when I eat

> meat (beef, chicken, turkey, fish and last night steamed clams!).

> Last nights' episode lasted 6 or so hours with the usual throwing

up

> of whatever sat on top of my closed off, tightened espohogus

valve.

> Until last night I didn't know this even had a name! My DH found

you

> all on here so here I am living to tell about it once again.

Whew!

> Fell asleep around 1 a.m. which I guess caused me to relax and the

> episode was over - thank God! I have two suspicios about this

> disorder, the first being that this happens more to those who eat

> meat. During the weeks I have tried vegetarianism, I had no

> episodes! I have to tell you I am not FOR surgery. Most people

> I've read about have had to have them over and over again, the

good

> effects short lived. How many of you out there think that if

maybe

> we gave up meat completely, we'd stop having these epsiodes

> altogether? Is it worth a try?

>

> The second observation I have made, is that many of us seem to be

> high strung and type A's, including me. When this happens to me,

I

> am usually feeling stressed. I truly believe that nervousness or

> stress is a contributing factor. I've always been a high energy,

> high strung, nervous, hyper personality. So I was thinking of

> becoming a more calm person, more laid back. How to do this is no

> easy task. Maybe I could try a yoga class? Any ideas on this

> subject?

>

> Well hope my input and contributions are found to be helpful in

some

> small way. Thanks for being here and may we all find relief from

> this strange, rare condition.

>

> With love and prayers,

> Diane

>

> PS: I'll post a photo today.

>

> _____

>

February 25, 2004

Hello :

A BIIIG Welcome to the Zaplist family. I always welcome people but I always wish I never had to meet everyone under these conditions but I' have been trying to look on the bright side that, at least they found out our conditions early enough that we are still here. I know the feeling about a teen that is about to rebel. My son who is twenty one (and thank God he is much calmer now) was a rebel. I have dilated cardiomyopathy which is, my right ventricular area is twice the size it should be. Although i have never showed signs outside of the hospital (VT in the EPS Lab only and for two months while being under the wrong medications) now I am the proud owner of a Guidant ICD myself. I just wanted to welcome you to the group . We have love people here. I hope you enjoy it. To you and your family Good Luck, Good Health and Good Heart. TURK

Newbie

Hi, I am a new member to your group. I am a 42 y.o. mother of two. I have Long QT Syndrome as do my 16 y.o. and 13 y.o. sons. The boys and I are all on Beta Blockers. I just received an ICD (defib only turned on) on Friday the 13th.This all started because my dad, who is a robust 82 years old, had apacemaker/defribrillator (Medtronic by the way) implanted after his Long QT and sinus bradycardia finally caused a cardiac arrest during a CT Scan (which was misdiagnosed as a dye allergy) and then several syncope episodes. His doctor told me to have myself and my kids checked. Not realizing what exactly the doctor was looking for we put off our tests for a bit, but then I decided that my older son should probably get his EKG before wrestling season got into full swing. Next thing you know I have a very angry 16 y.o. on my hands who is sitting out of wrestling for several weeks during the diagnostic process. He has since started taking 40 mg. of Nadolol, has accepted that he has this condition, and has been cleared for sports by his cardiologist. We are aware that there are still some risks, but he has decided (and we support him) that it is worth it for him.My younger son was evaluated after his brother and his results were very similar. Significant Long QT but healthy otherwise. The only blip on the 24 holter for each of them was one skipped heartbeat while at maximum while exercising. He was put on 20 mg. of Nadolol. After my EKG my clinic just put me on 20 mg. of Nadolol until I got to the Cardiologist.When I had my cardiologist appointment they began preparing me for the possiblity of an implant due to my dad's story and mine (I had three mysterious "seizures" waking up, one when I was 17 and two when I was 20). I had a two week event monitor and a stress test. I was supposed to do my follow-up on February 19th, but on the 11th I was having some dizziness, shortness of breath and "fluttering" in my chest. I went to the ER for an EKG which, at the time, I intended for informational purposes at my appointment. Well, they decided to admit me because my QT interval was longer than previously thought. Next thing I know they've made the decision to put in the defibrillator! Whew!According to my I.D. card I have received a Guidant Vitality T127. At this time I only have one ventricular lead. My limits are set at 40 minimum and 180 maximum. On my post-op x-ray the next morning my lead had pulled out just slightly, so they made me keep my arm motionless for a longer period of time than usual. My device has been interrogated twice since then and it seems fine. It is pacing me ventricularly 2% of the time, but they said that they could turn down my minimum a little if it is bothering me. The pacing has decreased (or I am used to it), so probably no problem. Normally my heart rate is not low. They think the pacing is due to the beta blocker, but I think my heartrate actually fluctuates more off the beta.I have been reading all your posts and you seem like a very nice group. I will welcome feedback and information. Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

February 25, 2004

Hello and welcome. I too am a relatively new member here. I also have

a family history of heart problems. I am 38 and live in a cute little

apartment on the east coast. I have dialted cardiomyopathy with

potentially lethal arrythmias. I also have a-fib and 1st degree heart

block as well as right ventricular dysplasia. It runs in the family.

My 29 year old brother died 11 yrs ago from this. My mom, her brother

and my brother have all had heart transplants after their stints with

the defibrillators. Its a good thing you and your kids were checked.

Unfortunate it has to come to light after a tragedy as it did with my

family. Its actually a good thing you didn't have much time to think

about it before they implanted your defib. My experience was similar.

I had had a few episodes of syncope and because of the history, they

just decided to implant. It was going to happen eventually. I have

been shocked about 6 times in the 3 years I have had it. I consider

myself lucky, when u hear of all the poor people that have to go thru

more shocks than necessary. Again, welcome to the group and everyone

has been quite helpful for me too. Anything I can do to help..just

ask. Take care and God bless, Pam

> Hi, I am a new member to your group. I am a 42 y.o. mother of two.

I

> have Long QT Syndrome as do my 16 y.o. and 13 y.o. sons. The boys

and

> I are all on Beta Blockers. I just received an ICD (defib only

turned

> on) on Friday the 13th.

>

> This all started because my dad, who is a robust 82 years old, had a

> pacemaker/defribrillator (Medtronic by the way) implanted after his

> Long QT and sinus bradycardia finally caused a cardiac arrest

during

> a CT Scan (which was misdiagnosed as a dye allergy) and then

several

> syncope episodes. His doctor told me to have myself and my kids

> checked. Not realizing what exactly the doctor was looking for we

put

> off our tests for a bit, but then I decided that my older son

should

> probably get his EKG before wrestling season got into full swing.

> Next thing you know I have a very angry 16 y.o. on my hands who is

> sitting out of wrestling for several weeks during the diagnostic

> process. He has since started taking 40 mg. of Nadolol, has

accepted

> that he has this condition, and has been cleared for sports by his

> cardiologist. We are aware that there are still some risks, but he

> has decided (and we support him) that it is worth it for him.

>

> My younger son was evaluated after his brother and his results were

> very similar. Significant Long QT but healthy otherwise. The only

> blip on the 24 holter for each of them was one skipped heartbeat

> while at maximum while exercising. He was put on 20 mg. of Nadolol.

> After my EKG my clinic just put me on 20 mg. of Nadolol until I got

> to the Cardiologist.

>

> When I had my cardiologist appointment they began preparing me for

> the possiblity of an implant due to my dad's story and mine (I had

> three mysterious " seizures " waking up, one when I was 17 and two

when

> I was 20). I had a two week event monitor and a stress test. I was

> supposed to do my follow-up on February 19th, but on the 11th I was

> having some dizziness, shortness of breath and " fluttering " in my

> chest. I went to the ER for an EKG which, at the time, I intended

for

> informational purposes at my appointment. Well, they decided to

admit

> me because my QT interval was longer than previously thought. Next

> thing I know they've made the decision to put in the defibrillator!

> Whew!

>

> According to my I.D. card I have received a Guidant Vitality T127.

At

> this time I only have one ventricular lead. My limits are set at 40

> minimum and 180 maximum. On my post-op x-ray the next morning my

lead

> had pulled out just slightly, so they made me keep my arm

motionless

> for a longer period of time than usual. My device has been

> interrogated twice since then and it seems fine. It is pacing me

> ventricularly 2% of the time, but they said that they could turn

down

> my minimum a little if it is bothering me. The pacing has decreased

> (or I am used to it), so probably no problem. Normally my heart

rate

> is not low. They think the pacing is due to the beta blocker, but I

> think my heartrate actually fluctuates more off the beta.

>

> I have been reading all your posts and you seem like a very nice

> group. I will welcome feedback and information.

>

February 26, 2004

Turk,

Thank you for the nice welcome. Did you get my ICD and my dad's for

your tally? Unfortunately he might think it was kind of weird if I

asked him for his model for a message board survey, so I don't have

that for you, but he does have a Medtronic pacer/defibrillator.

> Hello :

> A BIIIG Welcome to the Zaplist family. I always welcome people but

I always wish I never had to meet everyone under these conditions but

I' have been trying to look on the bright side that, at least they

found out our conditions early enough that we are still here. I know

the feeling about a teen that is about to rebel. My son who is twenty

one (and thank God he is much calmer now) was a rebel. I have dilated

cardiomyopathy which is, my right ventricular area is twice the size

it should be. Although i have never showed signs outside of the

hospital (VT in the EPS Lab only and for two months while being under

the wrong medications) now I am the proud owner of a Guidant ICD

myself. I just wanted to welcome you to the group . We have love

people here. I hope you enjoy it. To you and your family Good Luck,

Good Health and Good Heart. TURK

> Newbie

>

> Hi, I am a new member to your group. I am a 42 y.o. mother of

two. I

> have Long QT Syndrome as do my 16 y.o. and 13 y.o. sons. The boys

and

> I are all on Beta Blockers. I just received an ICD (defib only

turned

> on) on Friday the 13th.

>

> This all started because my dad, who is a robust 82 years old,

had a

> pacemaker/defribrillator (Medtronic by the way) implanted after

his

> Long QT and sinus bradycardia finally caused a cardiac arrest

during

> a CT Scan (which was misdiagnosed as a dye allergy) and then

several

> syncope episodes. His doctor told me to have myself and my kids

> checked. Not realizing what exactly the doctor was looking for we

put

> off our tests for a bit, but then I decided that my older son

should

> probably get his EKG before wrestling season got into full swing.

> Next thing you know I have a very angry 16 y.o. on my hands who

is

> sitting out of wrestling for several weeks during the diagnostic

> process. He has since started taking 40 mg. of Nadolol, has

accepted

> that he has this condition, and has been cleared for sports by

his

> cardiologist. We are aware that there are still some risks, but

he

> has decided (and we support him) that it is worth it for him.

>

> My younger son was evaluated after his brother and his results

were

> very similar. Significant Long QT but healthy otherwise. The only

> blip on the 24 holter for each of them was one skipped heartbeat

> while at maximum while exercising. He was put on 20 mg. of

Nadolol.

> After my EKG my clinic just put me on 20 mg. of Nadolol until I

got

> to the Cardiologist.

>

> When I had my cardiologist appointment they began preparing me

for

> the possiblity of an implant due to my dad's story and mine (I

had

> three mysterious " seizures " waking up, one when I was 17 and two

when

> I was 20). I had a two week event monitor and a stress test. I

was

> supposed to do my follow-up on February 19th, but on the 11th I

was

> having some dizziness, shortness of breath and " fluttering " in my

> chest. I went to the ER for an EKG which, at the time, I intended

for

> informational purposes at my appointment. Well, they decided to

admit

> me because my QT interval was longer than previously thought.

defibrillator!

> Whew!

>

> According to my I.D. card I have received a Guidant Vitality

T127. At

> this time I only have one ventricular lead. My limits are set at

40

> minimum and 180 maximum. On my post-op x-ray the next morning my

lead

> had pulled out just slightly, so they made me keep my arm

motionless

> for a longer period of time than usual. My device has been

> interrogated twice since then and it seems fine. It is pacing me

> ventricularly 2% of the time, but they said that they could turn

down

> my minimum a little if it is bothering me. The pacing has

decreased

> (or I am used to it), so probably no problem. Normally my heart

rate

> is not low. They think the pacing is due to the beta blocker, but

I

> think my heartrate actually fluctuates more off the beta.

>

> I have been reading all your posts and you seem like a very nice

> group. I will welcome feedback and information.

>

> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> http://www.ZapLife.org

>

> --------------------------------------------------------------------

----------

>

February 26, 2004

Pam,

Thank you for your post. You have certainly been through a lot. I

hope that things are going well now that you have your device and

have found this support group.

I think maybe I didn't make my facts clear. We didn't have a family

tragedy, although it could have been. My dad had the cardiac arrest

in the CTscan but they brought him right back. I don't know why they

didn't associate this with the long QT they had seen on an event

monitor a year before, but they didn't. They assumed it was a dye

allergy. About a week later he had several episodes of syncope at

home and a neighbor brought him to the ER. He had another episode at

the hospital and he was able to provide them with a textbook strip

showing Torsades De Pointes and VTach. They put in the device without

even having to do additional EP testing because the strip was so

perfect. He is doing great now and is feeling so much better because

the pacer is treating his bradycardia.

My next task is to write a letter to all of my dad's neices and

nephews so that they have the information on Long QT and can make

informed decisions with their health care providers.

> > Hi, I am a new member to your group. I am a 42 y.o. mother of

two.

> I

> > have Long QT Syndrome as do my 16 y.o. and 13 y.o. sons. The boys

> and

> > I are all on Beta Blockers. I just received an ICD (defib only

> turned

> > on) on Friday the 13th.

> >

> > This all started because my dad, who is a robust 82 years old,

had a

> > pacemaker/defribrillator (Medtronic by the way) implanted after

his

> > Long QT and sinus bradycardia finally caused a cardiac arrest

> during

> > a CT Scan (which was misdiagnosed as a dye allergy) and then

> several

> > syncope episodes. His doctor told me to have myself and my kids

> > checked. Not realizing what exactly the doctor was looking for we

> put

> > off our tests for a bit, but then I decided that my older son

> should

> > probably get his EKG before wrestling season got into full swing.

> > Next thing you know I have a very angry 16 y.o. on my hands who

is

> > sitting out of wrestling for several weeks during the diagnostic

> > process. He has since started taking 40 mg. of Nadolol, has

> accepted

> > that he has this condition, and has been cleared for sports by

his

> > cardiologist. We are aware that there are still some risks, but

he

> > has decided (and we support him) that it is worth it for him.

> >

> > My younger son was evaluated after his brother and his results

were

> > very similar. Significant Long QT but healthy otherwise. The only

> > blip on the 24 holter for each of them was one skipped heartbeat

> > while at maximum while exercising. He was put on 20 mg. of

Nadolol.

> > After my EKG my clinic just put me on 20 mg. of Nadolol until I

got

> > to the Cardiologist.

> >

> > When I had my cardiologist appointment they began preparing me

for

> > the possiblity of an implant due to my dad's story and mine (I

had

> > three mysterious " seizures " waking up, one when I was 17 and two

> when

> > I was 20). I had a two week event monitor and a stress test. I

was

> > supposed to do my follow-up on February 19th, but on the 11th I

was

> > having some dizziness, shortness of breath and " fluttering " in my

> > chest. I went to the ER for an EKG which, at the time, I intended

> for

> > informational purposes at my appointment. Well, they decided to

> admit

> > me because my QT interval was longer than previously thought.

defibrillator!

> > Whew!

> >

> > According to my I.D. card I have received a Guidant Vitality

T127.

> At

> > this time I only have one ventricular lead. My limits are set at

40

> > minimum and 180 maximum. On my post-op x-ray the next morning my

> lead

> > had pulled out just slightly, so they made me keep my arm

> motionless

> > for a longer period of time than usual. My device has been

> > interrogated twice since then and it seems fine. It is pacing me

> > ventricularly 2% of the time, but they said that they could turn

> down

> > my minimum a little if it is bothering me. The pacing has

decreased

> > (or I am used to it), so probably no problem. Normally my heart

> rate

> > is not low. They think the pacing is due to the beta blocker, but

I

> > think my heartrate actually fluctuates more off the beta.

> >

> > I have been reading all your posts and you seem like a very nice

> > group. I will welcome feedback and information.

> >

February 26, 2004

Yes I did count him in. Thanks. TURK

Newbie> > > Hi, I am a new member to your group. I am a 42 y.o. mother of two. I > have Long QT Syndrome as do my 16 y.o. and 13 y.o. sons. The boys and > I are all on Beta Blockers. I just received an ICD (defib only turned > on) on Friday the 13th.> > This all started because my dad, who is a robust 82 years old, had a> pacemaker/defribrillator (Medtronic by the way) implanted after his > Long QT and sinus bradycardia finally caused a cardiac arrest during > a CT Scan (which was misdiagnosed as a dye allergy) and then several > syncope episodes. His doctor told me to have myself and my kids > checked. Not realizing what exactly the doctor was looking for we put > off our tests for a bit, but then I decided that my older son should > probably get his EKG before wrestling season got into full swing. > Next thing you know I have a very angry 16 y.o. on my hands who is > sitting out of wrestling for several weeks during the diagnostic > process. He has since started taking 40 mg. of Nadolol, has accepted > that he has this condition, and has been cleared for sports by his > cardiologist. We are aware that there are still some risks, but he > has decided (and we support him) that it is worth it for him.> > My younger son was evaluated after his brother and his results were > very similar. Significant Long QT but healthy otherwise. The only > blip on the 24 holter for each of them was one skipped heartbeat > while at maximum while exercising. He was put on 20 mg. of Nadolol. > After my EKG my clinic just put me on 20 mg. of Nadolol until I got > to the Cardiologist.> > When I had my cardiologist appointment they began preparing me for > the possiblity of an implant due to my dad's story and mine (I had > three mysterious "seizures" waking up, one when I was 17 and two when > I was 20). I had a two week event monitor and a stress test. I was > supposed to do my follow-up on February 19th, but on the 11th I was > having some dizziness, shortness of breath and "fluttering" in my > chest. I went to the ER for an EKG which, at the time, I intended for > informational purposes at my appointment. Well, they decided to admit > me because my QT interval was longer than previously thought. Next > thing I know they've made the decision to put in the defibrillator! > Whew!> > According to my I.D. card I have received a Guidant Vitality T127. At > this time I only have one ventricular lead. My limits are set at 40 > minimum and 180 maximum. On my post-op x-ray the next morning my lead > had pulled out just slightly, so they made me keep my arm motionless > for a longer period of time than usual. My device has been > interrogated twice since then and it seems fine. It is pacing me > ventricularly 2% of the time, but they said that they could turn down > my minimum a little if it is bothering me. The pacing has decreased > (or I am used to it), so probably no problem. Normally my heart rate > is not low. They think the pacing is due to the beta blocker, but I > think my heartrate actually fluctuates more off the beta.> > I have been reading all your posts and you seem like a very nice > group. I will welcome feedback and information.> > > > > > Please visit the Zapper homepage at> http://www.ZapLife.org > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------>

June 6, 2004

hi paula!!! are we in the taebo group (tae-bo_on on groups)

together?

if so, then it is nice to see you here too.

*~*~*~*~*

Carolyn

---

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.699 / Virus Database: 456 - Release Date: 6/04/2004

June 7, 2004

Hi Carolyn! Yep, it's me!!! So have you been espousing the positive

benefits of Taebo on this group too? LOL.

a

> hi paula!!! are we in the taebo group (tae-bo_on on groups)

> together?

> if so, then it is nice to see you here too.

> *~*~*~*~*

> Carolyn

> ---

>

> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

> Version: 6.0.699 / Virus Database: 456 - Release Date: 6/04/2004

June 7, 2004

> Hi Carolyn! Yep, it's me!!! So have you been espousing the positive

> benefits of Taebo on this group too? LOL.

YES! heeheehee....

welcome paula!

-carolyn.

---

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.699 / Virus Database: 456 - Release Date: 6/04/2004

June 7, 2004

I can attest to that! Since joining I've purchased a Tae Bo 3 Pack and I

have an SASE arranged for another Tae Bo workout!

Donna (Welcome, a!)

>

> > Hi Carolyn! Yep, it's me!!! So have you been espousing the positive

> > benefits of Taebo on this group too? LOL.

>

>YES! heeheehee....

>welcome paula!

>-carolyn.

>

>---

>

>Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

>Version: 6.0.699 / Virus Database: 456 - Release Date: 6/04/2004

>

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September 17, 2004

Welcome to the group!

Very nice web site. Your products sound wonderful!

Newbie

Hello all

I am a newbie to this group although not a newbie to soapmaking. I

have a small business that I just moved from New Orleans to NYC. It

has been doing so great. Im so excited. I joined this group in hopes

of meeting other NY soapers and maybe finding more local suppliers.

the website to my little biz is

www.gabriellelabelle.com

Anyhow, I look forward to being a part of this group!!

September 17, 2004

Welcome to the group !

Shaye

Newbie

Hello all

I am a newbie to this group although not a newbie to soapmaking. I

have a small business that I just moved from New Orleans to NYC. It

has been doing so great. Im so excited. I joined this group in hopes

of meeting other NY soapers and maybe finding more local suppliers.

the website to my little biz is

www.gabriellelabelle.com

Anyhow, I look forward to being a part of this group!!

September 17, 2004

Welcome to our group! You will find lots of nice people here and we

have many wonderful suppliers as members.

Your website is really neat!

Colleen

Country Meadow Creations

http://www.countrymeadowcreations.com

September 17, 2004

In a message dated 9/17/2004 3:52:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

soulbabysoaps@... writes:

am a newbie to this group although not a newbie to soapmaking. I

have a small business that I just moved from New Orleans to NYC. It

has been doing so great. Im so excited.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Welcome, ! What a great website you have. It's going to be very

NYish, I think. :-) Where in the city are you? I have a dd across the river

and maybe she could visit your store when she's around.

Although I can hardly imagine doing business in NYC, I'm so glad it's

working out well for you. It seems so big and vast and expensive to me, LOL.

Beth

September 17, 2004

Welcome, ~ and you have a very cool Web site, by the way!

I'm nne, 29, and living in upstate New York [the Albany area]. I have a

blog at http://bathtubjunkie.star-shaped.org/ in case you want to check it

out. I do M & P soap mainly. Glad to have you here!

~nne

September 17, 2004

Hi -

I'm Barbara and I live in Poughkeepsie - about an hour - hour and 1/2 north

of you - I met you on another list and recognized your site. Love your site!

Hugs,

Barbara G

Poughkeepsie, NY

September 19, 2004

Thank you Beth.

No stores up yet, just word of mouth and the website (Im still a

legal secretary full time). I couldnt believe how fast word of mouth

got out about my products. I was truly humbled.

I may start doing some shows here in the city, but I dont even know

where to begin to look for craft shows in the city.

Thank you for the warm welcome!

>

> In a message dated 9/17/2004 3:52:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

> soulbabysoaps@y... writes:

>

> am a newbie to this group although not a newbie to soapmaking. I

> have a small business that I just moved from New Orleans to NYC.

It

> has been doing so great. Im so excited.

>

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>

> Welcome, ! What a great website you have. It's going to

be very

> NYish, I think. :-) Where in the city are you? I have a dd

across the river

> and maybe she could visit your store when she's around.

>

> Although I can hardly imagine doing business in NYC, I'm so glad

it's

> working out well for you. It seems so big and vast and expensive

to me, LOL.

>

> Beth

>

September 20, 2004

In a message dated 9/19/2004 8:14:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

soulbabysoaps@... writes:

I may start doing some shows here in the city, but I dont even know

where to begin to look for craft shows in the city.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is a farmer's market, , on the west side of Manhattan, that is

blocks long. I did see at least one soaper there, so that might be something

to check out. Seemed to me that everyone was doing a brisk business!

Beth

September 20, 2004

This has been posted with permission from Shaye

I've been to one too many shows/fairs only to find I've spent too much $

(the shows weren't cheap) on a show that was

1) full of first timers (for that show) because no one is happy enough with

it to come back

2) not adequately advertised

3) poorly attended

I've decided to do something about it. I created a new group called

Crafter's Review (http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/CraftersReview). The

group is for crafters to share their feedback, good and bad, on the

shows/fairs they've attended and their promoters. The point is to paint a

good picture of both shows/fairs AND promoters. As more and more feedback

comes in, I expect which promoters are good, bad, or just ok will be clear.

I'm also hoping to gather enough information about individual shows to help

us decide which shows are good for us and which aren't. For example, which

already tend to have enough or too many soapers, where customers tend to

prefer M & P or CP/HP, or unusual soaps, or artfully crafted soaps, or all

natural soaps, or lower priced soaps, or are willing to pay for quality.

Which church/temple/school fairs are well supported by members/parents?

Where would you want to bring a wider variety, and where do too many choices

seem to overwhelm the customers? Where do people prefer to buy high end

butters and scrubs, and where are they more interested in moderately priced

basics?

This group is NOT intended to be just for soapers. It's for all crafters.

Your great review of a fair could easily make the fair better by encouraging

other crafters to attend, making the fair more attractive to customers,

bringing in more people to sell to. Who knows, your great review might be

seen by local customers who decide to attend because of your review! If a

candle maker posts a positive review of a show, you might decide to give it

a try. Or steer clear of a show that another crafter posts was empty last

year.

It will take a while for this group to be of any real use in determining

which shows are good. Hopefully, which promoters to avoid or to trust will

become more quickly apparent (trust me, it's good to know). The more

feedback we get of course, the sooner this group will be useful. Any member

can add files to the files area. Articles and information on how to sell at

shows and fairs are welcome. The calendar is open as well. Feel free to add

craft show dates, and invite any promoters you know to join or to email me

with a request to post their dates (in time for vendors to apply) -

sometimes knowing where the shows are is half the battle. And vendors who

really want to weed out the fake stuff may find it helpful to come here to

seek us out.

With your help, this group could become a good resource for customers

looking for a true craft fair to shop at - one that doesn't have a few

crafters scattered among too many retailers. And who better than a crafter

to evaluate what was really crafted, and what wasn't? I believe there's a

soaper on this list who used to sell jewelry before the shows were flooded

with jewelry from China (if I remember right) masquerading as handmade.

Potential customers in her area would appreciate her comments on which shows

sell jewelry that is really hand made. Articles geared toward customers

looking for truly crafted items are also welcome.

Since this group is open to anyone, a protocol would be helpful to people

looking for particular information. Please use the following guide for your

subject: Country-state-town-topic. For example, I might have

USA-NY-town-Church show or USA-NY-St. -looking for vendors. For

promoter reviews, since promoters aren't limited to a particular place,

please make your subject line Review-promoter, for example Review-Joe Shmoe

Attractions. This makes it easier for people to find the information that is

relevant to them. Remember, messages can be listed alphabetically. Any

feedback on how to make this new group better would be greatly appreciated!

Hope to see you all there!

Diane

GreenFireHerbs.com

" Never say 'can't' when there's a 'How About This' still to be tried! "

November 16, 2004

Hi Heidi - yes, you have found good company here!

My son is , who is now 11. He's my baby..........

I also have Katey, 17, TJ, 21 and , 23. has been in

Argentina since July and we are ready for her to come home next month.

All of my children are close to each other.

has alot of other things going on - including ADHD. Right now,

I am thinking he has fluid in his ears because the TV keeps getting

louder and louder (and he had an ear infection 2 weeks ago).

Heidi and Josh wrote on 11/16/2004, 6:35 PM:

>

> Hello all,

> I have a wonderful son who is 7 his name is Joe and he was born

> with DS he is on the high end of it. He is in the first grade and is

> just now starting to do good. He is also has ADHD and it has been a

> struggle lately, We have a daughter who is four going on 16. He has

> been having a hard time with here and I don't know if it is because he

> is now realizing he is not the same or what. Then there is the baby

> who is 41/2 months old and he is good with him for the most part he

> likes to yell at him a lot. Then there is me(Heidi) and Dad. Well

> anyways everyone has been telling me I need to talk to someone, so

> that is what brings me by some good company.

>

November 16, 2004